Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,475, Joseph French, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
NUMBER
W. 15.475
French, Joseph Whiting, Nabby Former widow
CONTENTS

2272.
Massachusetts.
Nabby Whiting, former widow of Joseph. French
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Matr private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1. day of Dec r 1848. and sent to
Hm. N. Hale Hoff R
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 172 Vol. 2
Repealed Dec r 8/48.

Copy from the book of Records of Marriages belonging to the Town of Bridgewater in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
"Seventeen hundred and ninety six June the second Marlborough Whiting and Nabby French were Married by the Reverend Frederick Sanger."
I certify that the above is a true copy of the Record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the Record in Arabic, legible figures as follows "June 2 1796"
Mitchell Smith Town Clerk
I Mitchell Smith above named, depose and say, that I hold the Office of Town Clerk of Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
Mitchell Smith Town Clerk of Bridgewater Massachusetts
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth County ss.
3 May 31 - 1843
Sworn to before me
Asahel Hale Justice of Peace

Copy from the book of Records of Deaths belonging to the town of East Bridgewater in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Eighteen hundred thirty February fifteenth. Marlborough Whiting died.
I certify that the above is a true Copy of the Records with the exception of the date, which is expressed in the Record in fair legible figures as follows February 15 th 1830.
William Harris Town Clerk
I William Harris above named, depose and say, that I hold the Office of Town Clerk of East Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
William Harris Town Clerk of East Bridgewater Massachusetts
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County S.S. } June 1 st 1843
Sworn to before me
Grace Pratt Just Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, December 10 th . 1841.
I hereby Certify, That Jonathan Wild and Benjamin Richards are now and have been for the month last past Justices of the Peace for the County of Norfolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Joshua Baker, of Braintree, in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being sixty six years of age do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Nabby Howard, before she married Joseph French, that the said Nabby Howard was married to Joseph French, at said Braintree and at the dwelling House of the Widow Mary Baker I the said Joshua Baker the deponent was present and saw them married; they were married by the Rev. Mr. Taft, the then settled Minister of the South Parish in Braintree - the dwelling House where they were married belonged to my mother Mary Baker being the reason why I was present at the Marriage - the above said Nabby Howard resided at Braintree in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts before and at the time of her marriage;
Joshua Baker
State of Massachusetts, Norfolk County November, 27th 1841.
Then the above named Joshua Baker personally appeared, and made Oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed and I further certify that the above said Joshua Baker is reputed to be a Man of truth and veracity -
Before me Benjamin Richards Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk Town of Braintree ss: Seventeen hundred and eighty two, July twenty fourth
Joseph French of Washington in the State of Hampshire & Abigail Maynard of this Town.
The above is a true copy from the records of Intention of Marriages in the Town of Braintree with the exception of the date which is expressed on the records in fair legible figures, as follows 1782 July 24th.
Attest
Judson Stoddard Town Clerk of Braintree
I Judson Stoddard above named depose and say, that I hold the office of Clerk of the Town of Braintree aforesaid in the County and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town of Braintree, with the exception above named as certified by me. (There appears to be no record of the Marriage on the Town Books)
Judson Stoddard Town Clerk
Norfolk ss: December 26th 1834. Sworn to and subscribed by the said Judson Stoddard.
Before me
Jon d Wildob } Just. Peace

10,210 Nabby Whiting. Mass.
Act 7. July 38. v 23 Aug. 42.
on Roll cap. Wales lot Marshall pri. 3 yrs.
adm'd 2 yrs pri 80P
Daniel Greenleaf Washington N.H.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Plymouth
On this Thirtieth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and forty three, Personally appeared, before the Judge of the Court of Probate, now in session at Middleborough, in said County, Nabby Whiting, a resident of East Bridgewater, in said County, aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the acts of Congress passed July 7 th 1838, August 23 d 1842, and March 3 d 1843, granting pensions to widows of Persons who served during the Revolutionary war, That she is the widow of Joseph French a resident of Braintree (now Randolph), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war, and served as an Orderly Sergeant, more than two years in a company commanded by Capt n Smith, in Col o Marshalls Regiment as will appear by the deposition of Nathaniel Evans, and the records in the war department at Washington. She further declares that she has been informed that said Joseph French received and held a commission for some time before the war ended, that she has no documentary evidence, but believes the above statement to be correct. She further declares that she was married to the said Joseph French at Braintree aforesaid, on the ninth day of October Seventeen hundred and eighty two that her husband the aforesaid Joseph French died in the town of Washin- gton in the County of Cheshire (now Sullivan) State of New Hampshire on the second day of May Seventeen hundred and eighty eight, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the Mar- riage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz at the time above stated. She further declares that after the death of the husband aforesaid she was married to Marlborough Whiting, on the second day of June seventeen hundred and ninety six. That he died at East Bridgewater aforesaid, on the fifteenth day of February eighteen hundred and thirty, and that she is still a Widow.
Nabby Whiting
Sworn and subscribed on the day and
Year above written before me. Wilson Wood, Jr. D r

Plymouth Yr. I Jacob H Lord Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth, do hereby certify that the Hon. Wilkes Wood is Judge of the Court of Probate for said County & that the within is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this thirtieth day of May in the Year One thousand eight hundred & forty three.
Jacob H. Lord

David & Betsy Garnsworth
James ...

I David Farnsworth of Washington, in the county of Sullivan, and State of New Hampshire, aged Twenty eight years, and I Betsey Farnsworth of said Washington, aged Twenty four years, testify and say that we were personally acquainted, with Joseph French, a Revolutionary soldier, and native of Braintree (now Randolph) Massachusetts, that he came some to said Washington, immediately after the close of the Revolutionary war, that in the year eighteen hundred and eighty four he was Married to Nabby Howard at said Braintree and brought her to said Washington, where they lived untill the second day of May seventeen hundred and eighty eight, when he died, leaving a widow and two children; that his widow was afterwards Married to Marlborough Whiting of East Bridgewater Massachusetts, with whom she lived untill he died.
David Farnsworth Betsey Farnsworth
State of New Hampshire County of Sullivan } Is On this fifth day of May eighteen hundred and forty three, personally appeared before me Ward Sampson a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county of Sullivan the above named David and Betsey Farnsworth, and made oath that the above affidavit by them subscribed is true.
Ward Sampson Justice Peace
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named David and Betsey Farnsworth, and that I consider their testimony entitled to full and entire credit
Ward Sampson Justice Peace

State of New Hampshire } Sullivan County } ss.
I, J. M. Gilmore Clerk of the Supreme Court of Judicature of the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that Warren Sampson is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commis- sioned and qualified that his commission was dated on the 5th day of September 1842 and will expire on the 10th day of September 1847. and that the signature herewith (marking like this) are in my belief genuine. Given under my hand and the Seal of said County, this 8th day of June 1843.
J. M. Gilmore Clerk

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No.
15475
Nabby Whiting Former Widow of Joseph French Prov. Rev. War
Act:
Feb 2 d 1848
Index:—Vol.
M
Page
331
[Arrangement, of 1870.]

7570 Massachusetts.
Res 30 Aug 4/3
Nabby Whiting, formerly the widow of Joseph French who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 2 d May, 1788 — of Plymouth (in the State of Massachusetts — who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Wales of the Reg t commanded by Col. Marshall in the Massachusetts line for 2 years —
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 80 — Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th . day of Feb, Washington and sent to David Green- leaf, N. Hampshire
Whole amount due . . . . . $400.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Whittier Clerk,
Book A Vol. 1 — Page 145 —

Rep.
Sent to Danl. Greenleaf Sept. 26. 1844
Massachusetts 4003
Abby Whiting, who was widow of Joseph French who was a Private in the Revolution.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19. day of Dec. 1843 and sent to Daniel Greenleaf Washington, N. H.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1. Page 58.

Nathaniel Evans

I Nathaniel Evans, of Stoddard in the County of Coosheer and State of New Hampshire, aged eighty two, Testify and say that I was well acquainted with Joseph French a native of Braintree (now Randolph) Massachusetts, in the Army of the Revolution, he belonged to Captain Smiths Company in Col o Marshalls Regiment; I belonged to the same Regiment with said French from November 1777 to March 1780. when I was discharged I left said French in said Capt Smiths Company as an orderly Sergeant, which office I believe he had held for more than two years, while I was in the Army with said French we were at Kingsbridge, Whitemash, Valley Forge, in the Battle of Monmouth, White Plains, Danbury, Hartford and West Point where I was discharged. I did not see said French again, until the Revolutionary war was closed, I then saw him at Washington New Hampshire about ten miles from my residence, where he remained until he died.
I further testify that I was informed by said French and others that soon after I left the army he received an Ensigns Commission, and that he remained in the Army until it was disbanded at Newburg New York. Nathaniel Evans
State of New Hampshire Sullivan Is } Be it Known That on the Twentyseventh day of December one thousand eight hundred and forty one personally ap- peared Nathaniel Evans above named, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true.
Joseph Healy Justice of the Peace
Washington December 27. 1841. I hereby certify, that I am personally well acquainted with the above named Nathaniel Evans, & that he is a man of undoubted truth and veracity
Joseph Healy Justice of the Peace

I further testify that I was informed by some French and others that soon after I left the army he received an Ensigns Commission, and that he remained in the Army untill it was disbanded at Newburg New York. Nathaniel Evans
State of New Hampshire Sullivan ss } Be it known that on the Twentyswenth day of December one Thousand eight hundred and forty one personally ap- -peared Nathaniel Evans above named, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true.
Joseph Healy Justice of the Peace
Washington December 27. 1841. I hereby certify, that I am personally well acquainted with the above named Nathaniel Evans, & that he is a man of undoubted truth and veracity
Joseph Healy Justice of the Peace
State of New Hampshire Sullivan County ss.
I J. M. Gilmore Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature of the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that Joseph Healy is an acting Justice of the Peace in Quorum throughout the State duly com- -missioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 29 th day of June 1838 and will expire on the 28 th day of June 1843. and that his signatures herewith are genuine - Given under my hand and the Seal of said County this 8 th day of June 1843. J. M. Gilmore Clerk.

Sir
Washington N. H. Sept 17 th 1844
I wish to have the claim of Nabby Whiting reexamined, she was formerly the widow of Joseph French, deceased. She stated in her declaration, that said French was an orderly ser- geant, and that she had been informed that he after- wards held a commission in the army of the Revolu- tion; in confirmation of her declaration, I procured the deposition of Nathaniel Evans; I am personally acquainted with the deponent, he is a Gentleman of un- doubted veracity, he resides in Stoddard N.H. about eight miles from this place, he is a Pensioner of the U States, and well known as Col o Evans, having commanded a Regiment in this State; there are several aged men now living in this Town, who were acquainted with said Joseph French from the close of the Revolutionary war until the time of his death May 2 nd 1888. They say that he was called Ensign French, that he had the uniform of an Officer of the Army; his widow has only received a pension for his services as a Private, her last certifi- cate was dated Augst 29 th 1843. Should you find on further examination that Mrs Whiting is entitled to an addition to her pension, you will please to forward a certificate for the same.
I am very respectfully Your Most Ob t Servant Daniel Greenleaf
Howard Esqr Comm r of Pensions Washington D.C.

N. Whiting
$80 per an
Daniel Greenleaf Washington N. H.

Washington D.C. Apr 21. 1843
Sir
Enclosed I send the Declaration of Nabby Whiting, formerly the Widow of Joseph French, late of Washington D.C. deceased; who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War; for the purpose of obtaining one years Pension, under the Act of Congress, of March 3 rd 1843.
I am respectfully, Your obed Servt Daniel Greenleaf
J. H. Edwards Esq. Comm d of Pensions Washington D.C.

Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

East Bridgewater August 23 d 1848
James L Edwards Esq- Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir, With this I forward you the Declarations of Mrs Whiting and Mrs Chamberlain - The declaration of Mrs Cham- berlain is as full as can be given on account of her advanced age, loss of memory and other infirmities - While Congress was in session I wrote a line to our Representative stating the case of Mrs Chamberlain; and he informed me, that in a case like hers, all that would be required, would be to state her infirmities - You will find by the Records that her husband Thomas Chamberlain was a pensioner and that Mrs Chamberlain has also been a pensioner - If any thing is wanting farther to place either of the above on the Pension Roll again, you will please notify me - and when the papers are ready you may forward them to me at East Bridgewater, County of Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Yours & Welcome Young

Bridgewater Mass. Nov. 9. 1848
Sir
Herewith I send you the Declarat- -tions of Abigail Washburn and Molly Pissin for Pensions, and will thank you to remit to me their Certificates if the evidence is satisfactory —
Please have the goodness to inform me if the Declarations of Molly Chamberlain, widow of Thos. Chamberlain and Nabby Whiting wd one of Marlboro' Whiting, which were forwarded to your department by Welcome Gurney Esq some two months since, have been received & if so & the evidence is satisfactory to forward me their Certificates —
Respectfully Yours
Adelmas Hale
J. L. Edwards Esq

Washington N.H. June 19 th 1843
Sir
Enclosed I send the declaration of Nabby Whiting, formerly widow of Joseph French, who in 1775 was a resident of Braintree Massachusetts, and served in the Army of the Revolution.
I also send depositions to prove a part of his services, his marriage to the said Nabby and his death, also, the second marriage of the said Nabby to M. Whiting and his death.
I understand by a person, who was formerly acquainted with Joseph French aforesaid that, Capt. Wales was in command of the Company to which said French belonged, but that Captain Smith had the command at the time French was an orderly Sergeant. Several aged persons now reside in this town who remember when the aforesaid Joseph French first came here, that he then was dressed in the uniform of an American Officer and was called Ensign French.
I expect the records in the War Department will furnish evidence of the service of said French and if he ever had a commission, you can find it recorded.
J. H. Edwards Esq. Edward Penniman Washington City D.C. }
I am very respectfully Your Old Sergeant Daniel Greenleaf

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston September 15 th 1843 —
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation William Harris was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth.
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Jno. A. Bolles Secretary of the Commonwealth.
1625

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3 d March 1823, granting pensions for one year to certain Widows, who have received pensions under the act of July 9 th 1838. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth ss
On this fourteenth day of September 1843, Personally appeared before me William Harris
a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Plymouth, Nabby Whiting a resident of said County, a girl twenty six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 d March 1823, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she was formerly the Widow of Joseph Prescott, late of Washington New Hampshire, deceased, who served during the Revolutionary War as a Private and orderly Sergeant in Captain Smith's Company, Col. Marsh's Regiment as will appear by the records in the War Department and the deposition of Nathaniel Evans, annexed to her declaration made for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of Congress of July 9 th 1838. That she received a pension certificate under the act of July 9 th 1838, at the rate of eighty dollars per year, payable in Boston Massachusetts dated August 29 th 1843, No. 7568. She further declares that she is still a Widow.
Nabby Whiting
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written. Before me,
William Harris Justice of the Peace
I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Nabby Whiting, and I am fully satisfied that her statement is true
William Harris Justice of the Peace

aa aa 4003
Idon of. Wale Id. K.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston August 12 th 1848
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Welcome Young was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
M. Hall
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled, "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss.
Tymouth COUNTY, }
On this tenth day of August 1848 personally appeared
before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid,
Nabby Whiting
a resident of East Bridgewater in the county of Tymouth
aged Eighty one years, who being first duly sworn, according to
law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the
provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to
widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of
Joseph French who was a soldier
in the Regiment commanded by Col. Marshall
and Capt. Smith Company and is the identical person who drew a pension
under the Act of 17th June, 1844, on account of the Revolutionary service of her late hus-
band aforesaid, at the rate of Eighty dollars and
cents per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
She further declares that after the death
of her husband aforesaid, she was mar-
ried to Melville Whiting who died
in 1830. Sworn to and subscribed on the day
and year above written, } Before me,
In presence of
Welcome Young
Martin Whiting
Welcome Young Justice of the Peace.
I certify that the declarant is personally known to me, a widow and pensioner
as she described above - - Welcome Young Justice of the Peace
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss.
COUNTY, }
Clerk of the
Court and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that
is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly
qualified; and that his signature, above written, is genuine.
and, and the Seal of said Court, this

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston August 12 th 1848
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Welcome Young was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
M. Callan
Secretary of the Commonwealth.